October 2, 2024
“How often do you wash your bed sheets?” According to our recent poll, Canadians vary in how often they wash their bed sheets and their other bedding, such as comforters and blankets, and even their towels. Approximately three quarters of Canadians (74%) wash their bed sheets every two weeks or more often, and results seem to be relatively split among those who wash their bed sheets once a week or more often (37%) and those who wash their bed sheets once every two weeks (37%). Surprisingly, 4% of Canadians share that they wash their bed sheets every day, while 3% say they wash their bedding only when it appears dirty.
Across demographics, men reportedly wash their bed sheets less frequently than women, with seven in ten men (69%) saying they wash their bed sheets every two weeks or more often and eight in ten women (79%) saying the same.
Results show that Candians wash other bedding (comforters, blankets, etc.) less often than bed sheets, with four in ten (42%) saying they wash other bedding every two weeks or more often and six in ten (58%) saying they wash other bedding once a month or less often.
Bathroom towels, on the other hand, are being washed regularly, with seven in ten Canadians (72%) saying they wash their bathroom towels once a week or more often, including 7% who wash them every day. Canadians in the Atlantic region are more likely to wash their towels daily compared to those in other regions. As well, women and Boomers are less likely than their counterparts to wash their towels every two weeks or more often.
According to recent research, Canadians who wash their bed covers (this includes bed sheets, duvet covers, pillow covers, etc.) once a week, or at least every two weeks, align with how often experts recommend bedding be washed.¹ Researchers say our skin’s microbiome naturally sheds bacteria, making bed sheets a hotspot for bacteria buildup. For instance, a recent study examined a pillow case left unwashed for a week and found it contained 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, which typically has around three million bacteria per square inch.2 So, whether Canadians are washing their bedsheets to prevent bacteria build up or simply for that clean sheet feeling, it is essential to continue doing so at least every two weeks to maintain proper hygiene.
Lastly, we asked Canadians how often they replace their mattress. Approximately two in ten (19%) replace their mattress every 3-5 years, while about one-third replace their mattress every 6-10 years and less often than every 10 years (34% and 32%, respectively). Only 5% of Canadians replace their mattress every 1-2 years. Gen Z and Millenials are more likely than Boomers to replace their mattress every 1-2 years and every 3-5 years. Boomers are more likely than Gen Z and Millenials to replace their mattress less often than every 10 years. Canadians living in BC or Northern territories are more likely than their counterparts to replace their mattress every 6-10 years.
Results are from an online survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted between September 12 – 15, 2024 with 1,230 Canadians from the Logit Group’s online Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution, and data tables are available upon request.
1Why you might want to change your bedclothes more often (bbc.com)
2Bacteria in your Bed – Amerisleep
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner, Narrative Research – 902.493.3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
OR
Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com
Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned, research company, certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Narrative Research provides clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services.
The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented.
